ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Catholic priest who has recently served in four parishes in the Central Florida area has been removed from his duties amid child sexual abuse allegations, the Diocese of Orlando said Wednesday.
- Priest in Orlando diocese removed of duty by bishops
- Priest under investigation in Pennsylvania by Berks County DA
- Priest moved to Orlando diocese more than a decade ago
- Allegations don't involve priest's time in Orlando diocese
No formal charges have been filed against the priest. But Berks County, Pennsylvania District Attorney John T. Adams confirmed that his office is investigating sexual abuse allegations against the priest. Adams said the allegations were brought to his office earlier this week.
The priest was removed from his duties by both Bishop Alfred Schlert of Allentown, Pennsylvania and Orlando Bishop John Noonan.
The chief operating officer and chancellor of the Orlando Diocese addressed the allegations on Wednesday.
“I am sad that we are dealing with this today,” said Carol Brinati.
The diocese says there are no reports of abuse in Central Florida against the priest.
“I have heard from no one – I mean we just announced it today – but no one has come forward,” said Brinati.
The Orlando Diocese says the priest accused has been with diocese since 2005, serving at several different Catholic communities, first at Resurrection Parish and Sante Fe Catholic High School – both in Lakeland.
In 2008, he moved to St. Ann Parish in DeBary and Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach. In 2012 he went to St. Faustina Parish in Clermont.
The diocese says in June 2018, the priest was appointed pastor of Church of Our Savior in Cocoa Beach.
“While he was here, to my knowledge, he has served well,” said Brinati.
The Catholic Church, and its leader Pope Francis, have come under fire after a lengthy grand jury report out of Pennsylvania revealed accusations against hundreds of priests accused of sexually abusing children.
The Orlando Diocese says it has a “safe environment policy” which would’ve required the priest accused to be fingerprinted and background checked. Despite no current allegations locally, the church has removed the priest from his duties and says it always urges anyone who suspects abuse to report it.
“Of course we always ask if you’ve been injured by anyone who is in a position of authority in the church, that you do come forward and make a statement to us so we can assist you with healing, if that’s necessary, report it to law enforcement depending on what your situation is,” said Brinati.
When asked about increasing criticism of the Catholic Church nationwide, Brinati had a message for members of the Catholic faith.
“I know it is a difficult time for everyone,” said Brinati. “I pray with you and I pray for you.”
Per Spectrum News Crime Guidelines, because the priest at this time has not been charged with a crime, we are not identifying him.
The diocese says it is making crisis counselors available to people at the last two Catholic communities where the priest accused served, in Clermont and in Cocoa Beach.
The Orlando Diocese says the victim involved in the allegations out of Pennsylvania was a minor when the alleged abuse happened, but is now an adult.